Single Market

The Single Market Programme is an EU funding initiative designed to ensure the proper functioning and continuous development of the internal market, fostering competitiveness, growth, and resilience across the European Union. Running from 2021 to 2027, the program has a budget of €4.2 billion and aims to enhance various aspects of the single market, ensuring it remains a key driver of economic prosperity in the EU.​

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Key Areas of Focus

• Competitiveness of Enterprises (COSME):

  • Provides direct support for SMEs through improved access to finance, reduced administrative burdens, and enhanced business opportunities.

  • Encourages entrepreneurship and business-friendly policies to help SMEs grow and innovate.

• Consumer Protection:

  • Strengthens consumer protection laws and helps national authorities cooperate in cross-border enforcement of consumer rights.

  • Promotes initiatives that improve consumer safety, access to information, and the ability to make informed choices in the single market.

• Food Safety and Health:

  • Ensures a high level of food safety by improving the traceability and safety of food products, promoting healthy eating, and combating food fraud.

  • Focuses on protecting animal and plant health, ensuring strict controls on animal diseases and plant pests.

• Market Surveillance and Standardization:

  • Supports efforts to ensure that products placed on the EU market meet safety, environmental, and performance standards.

  • Develops European and international standards that contribute to innovation, interoperability, and consumer protection.

• Public Procurement:

  • Improves public procurement systems by promoting transparency, efficiency, and access to public contracts for SMEs.

  • Encourages the use of sustainable and innovative public procurement practices.

• Digital Transformation:

  • Supports the digitalization of businesses and public services to ensure that the single market adapts to new technologies and digital business models.

  • Promotes e-commerce and the digital single market, removing barriers to online trade and boosting cross-border digital services.

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The Single Market Programme is key to maintaining the EU's competitive edge, protecting consumers, and ensuring the free flow of goods, services, and capital across the union, ultimately supporting a robust and thriving internal market.